Annual Health Insurance Enrollment for 2027 Annual health insurance enrollment will take place from October 14-November 6. A letter to all plan participants with plan details, rates, and changes can be found here. Please share this with your clergy and any staff who are eligible to participate. Information on plan comparisons; general eligibility requirements; the diocesan health care policy; fact sheets for health care savings accounts and Medicare Small Payor Exceptions; vision benefits; waiver forms; and required disclosures can be found here. This year, CPG will not send hard copies of annual enrollment materials. Instead, all materials will be communicated via email. Please confirm you have a valid email address on file with CPG and watch for emails from CPG about annual enrollment. Unless you need to make changes to your coverage for 2027, you do not need to confirm/affirm any of your plan choices. If you have questions, please contact Canon Charles Thorne. |
Online Anti-Racism Training September 26, 10AM – 3PM Join Cn. Carla Robinson for our online offering of anti-racism training. All lay church leaders are highly encouraged to complete this program. This one-day training experience is based on “Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of the Episcopal Church.” You can register for thezoom session here. |
October Ordinations October 3, 10:30AM, Saint Mark’s Cathedral Please join us in October for ordinations at Saint Mark’s Cathedral. All are invited to worship with us and celebrate the ordinations of new clergy. The Rt. Rev. Philip N. LaBelle will ordain Nathan Michael Clark, Tamara Grace Lamb, Susan Maureen Mings to the Sacred Order of Deacons; and will ordain Eric Edward Stroo to the Sacred Priesthood. The festival color is red. |
Diocesan Investment Fund Welcomes New Investment Partnership Starting November 1, 2026, the assets of the James F. Hodges Diocesan Investment Fund (DIF) will be invested in partnership with the DFMS Investment Trust. The trust is administered by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS), the organization of The Episcopal Church that manages investments for dioceses, congregations, and ministries across the wider church. The DIF lets congregations and diocesan ministries pool their endowments and long-term reserves. Together, they get professional management and diversification that would be hard to get on their own. Moving to DFMS keeps that model for the Diocese of Olympia and connects the fund to a larger investment program built for the entire Episcopal Church. For congregations already in the DIF Nothing changes day to day. Accounts and balances carry over automatically. Statements will look the same, and you will request withdrawals from the diocesan finance office the same way you do now. If you expect a large withdrawal in the coming months, please let the finance office know early. For congregations thinking about the DIF If your congregation has endowment funds, memorial gifts, or long-term savings, this is a good time to ask whether the DIF is a good fit. We’re glad to talk it through with you. Join us for an information session Wednesday, October 7, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., on Zoom Register: https://ecww-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/m8UtdxQOQle2U-M22jTBtQ |
AI Task Force Initial Meeting & Video Conversation October 15, 10:30AM, 10am-4pm, Epiphany Parish You are invited to join the Diocese of Olympia AI Task Force for our initial meeting on Thursday October 15 from 10am-4pm (lunch provided) at Epiphany Parish Seattle. If you are interested in the intersection of faith and AI, the conversation on how the church is engaging with the ever-increasing prevalence of this technology, if you use it regularly or choose to abstain, you are invited to join us in our initial meeting and conversation about AI and The Church. At this meeting we will share resources, share in conversation, raise up areas for further study, and begin to formulate ways of discussing AI that we can share with our parishes and the diocese at large. This invitation is for any in the diocese who are interested in participating, clergy or lay. As part of this work, The Rev. Doyt Conn and The Rev. Nic Mather, Co-chairs of the AI Task Force, joined together in conversation to begin addressing these topics and offer that conversation to the diocese here. If you would like to join us on the 15th, please RSVP to The Rev. Nic Mather. |
Global Missions Grants Committee Members Needed Each year the Diocese of Olympia sets aside a portion of its operating budget to fund Global Missions Grants. These small grants are aimed at helping congregations in the diocese fund projects with global partners which align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). The Bishop’s Office is seeking individuals to serve on the committee that will gather the applications, evaluate them and decide which applicants will be awarded grants for 2027. The bulk of the committee’s work will take place between early November 2026 and March 2027. If you would like to serve on the Global Missions Grants committee or want more information, please contact Canon Carla Robinson via email. |
Convention News More information and submission links can be found on the Convention website here. Baptism and Necrology Reports Baptism and necrology reports are due October 1st – fill out this form. Please share the names of congregants who have been baptized or have passed away in the last year. Registration – Due October 8 Registration is live for clergy, delegates and convention guests! Fill out this form to register for convention. The cost is $150 per registration. NEW – Friday Visitor Registration Are you planning on attending on Friday only for workshops and exhibits? We have a new registration option for only $40 per person. Fill out this form to register as a guest for convention. Workshop & Exhibits There are a number of workshops being offered on Friday, October 23, beginning at 9:30AM. There will be a variety of sessions including: Rituals of Resistance and Hope, Garden Church, Feminism and the Church, Running a Successful Capital Campaign, Embodying Hope in State Halls of Power, and more! There will also be over 30 exhibits to explore on both Friday and Saturday. Visiting with a variety of organizations including Episcopal Relief and Development, Faith Action Network, Camp Huston, Sacred Waters, and many more. Volunteers Needed It takes a village to raise a Convention. We will need volunteers at the registration desk as well as on the convention floor. Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer. People who volunteer 6 hours or more during Convention will receive complimentary Convention registration. Please register as a volunteer here. Questions? Contact our People Care team leader Matt Koski. Narrative Budget The Diocesan Council is pleased to present the recommended operating budget for 2027. See the full Narrative Budget document here. Nominations To be included in published convention materials, nominations needed to be submitted by September 21. Nominations are still open until the final call for nominations during the Convention business meeting on October 23. Learn more about open positions here. Pre-Convention Meetings Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30PM – Narrative Budget Zoom Session Wednesday, October 14 at 7:00PM – Resolution Information Zoom Session The sessions will be recorded and shared publicly at the conclusion of each session. Important Deadlines and Dates October 8: Registration Deadline and for written notice of Regional Ministry young adult delegate October 8: Deadline for certification of delegates and alternates October 21: Deadline for 48 hour resolutions |
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Coming Soon – Lunch and Learns We are exciting to announce a new offering from the Office of the Bishop: Lunch and Learns! These will be once or twice a month zoom sessions on a variety of topics for lay and ordained leaders. Coming this year will be sessions on planning a great annual meeting, using special liturgies during Holy Week, understanding the parochial report, and more! Save the date for our first session on November 17th at noon with Cn. Ivar Hillesland on planning engaging annual meetings. |
Save the Date – Congregational Leadership Conference Save the date for January 30th for our next Congregational Leadership Conference. This is an opportunity for lay leaders, especially treasurers, wardens, and vestry members, to learn more about their respective roles, ask questions, and gather with peers across the diocese. Location and time TBD. |
Asiamerica Ministries Chinese Convocation Meeting in Los Angeles October 1-3, 2026 The 2026 Chinese Convocation, offered by The Episcopal Church’s Asiamerica Ministries, will gather in Los Angeles, Calif. This event brings together Chinese American Episcopalians to connect with one another, learn together, and discern ongoing ministries. Attendees will explore more deeply the gifts of their identity as Chinese Americans in The Episcopal Church and build relationships across the church. Register online. |
Register for Nuevo Amanecer Nov. 9-12 | Camp Allen, Navasota, Texas This biennial Episcopal Church conference offers instructional workshops, resource-sharing, and fellowship for Latino Episcopalians, those involved in Latino ministries, and those interested in learning about or starting a Latino ministry. The conference will be conducted in Spanish, with English interpretation. Keynote speakers are House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris and Los Angeles Bishop Antonio Gallardo. Learn more and register by Oct. 15. |
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For more upcoming diocesan events, visit our Diocesan Events Page at the link below. |
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September 26 – Rooted, Responsive, and Resilient Faith 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at St. Michael & All Angels, Issaquah. Join Brothers Jamie Nelson and Lain Wilson, of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, to learn and discuss rules of life, discernment, and prayer, and how these are relevant for Christian life today. $10 charge. |
September 26 – Godly Play Training Through a collaboration between the Diocese of Olympia and Saint Mark’s Cathedral, we are pleased to offer a workshop day for all: those who are new to this methodology and those who have been practicing for a long time. Join us for a day of learning, community building, and sharing best practices. |
September 27 – 100 Years at Christ Church, Puyallup Come help Christ Church celebrate on September 26 with a festive eucharist done in a manner similar to that which would have been in use in 1926, and special displays celebrating this momentous anniversary. A reception will follow. |
October 2 – Sacred Earth, Sacred Duty All faith communities in the San Juan Islands are invited to an interfaith one day retreat titled “Sacred Earth, Sacred Duty: Uniting Faiths to Steward and Sustain.” The event will focus on environmental stewardship and resilience, followed by a shared meal and labyrinth walk. The event and meal are free. Hosted by Grace Episcopal Church and Madrona Institute. |
October 2 – Saint Mark’s Music Series: All Bach on the Flentrop Organ The season opens with Bach and a special appearance by organist Paul Jacobs, one of our time’s leading organ virtuosos. He will perform J. S. Bach’s monumental Art of Fugue — a deep exploration of contrapuntal possibilities. On the program: Art of Fugue by J. S. Bach |
October 3 – Worship Amid Social Turmoil Join worship committee members, musicians, and clergy as we explore practical ways in which our common prayer informs our common vocation as public witnesses of hope. Hosted by the Bishop’s Commission on Liturgy and the Arts, Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission, and the Wild Hope Center for Vocation Pacific Lutheran University. |
October 4 – Celebrating the 55th Anniversary of the Metzler Organ at St. Thomas Organist Paul Meier will offer a program of solo organ works by Alain, Bach, de Grigny, Mozart, and Mendelssohn. This free recital will be followed by a reception. The program will be from 2:00PM – 4:00PM at St. Thomas, Medina. |
October 11 – Pan African Potluck and Communication Conversation Join Epiphany Seattle for a Pan African Potluck and Community Conversation on Sunday, October 11, 4:00-6:00 pm. a short talk by Gordon Okumu sharing practical guidance and helpful insights on navigating life in the United States as an immigrant from Africa. |
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The Joy of Creating – Quilt Submissions Open Now Saint Mark’s Visual Arts Ministry and Quilt Ministry invite quilters from across the Episcopal Church in Western Washington to submit their original works reflecting our theme: “The Joy of Creating.” Quilts will be hung in the cathedral nave, January 3 -31, 2027. Registration closes October 23, 2026. More information and the entry form is here. |
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UPCOMING BISHOP VISITATIONS - October 4, Trinity, Seattle
- October 11, Holy Spirit, Vashon
To see a full schedule of Bishop Phil’s visitations, click here. |
Canon for Communications, Diocese of Olympia The Diocese of Olympia seeks a seasoned, strategic, collaborative, and relationship-centered Canon for Communications to lead all diocesan communications, digital platforms, media connections, and public relations efforts. Reporting directly to the Bishop, this senior leadership role is responsible for shaping how the mission, ministries, and public witness of the Episcopal Church are communicated to parishioners, partners, and the broader Western Washington community. The Canon for Communications serves as the chief curator and steward of diocesan messaging, ensuring clarity, consistency, theological integrity, and warmth across all platforms. Learn more about the position and application process here. |
Executive Director, Seattle Seafarers Center Do you have a heart for maritime workers and strong development/fundraising skills? The Seattle Seafarers Center provides a vital service by caring for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of seafarers who visit our Puget Sound ports. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall mission of the center, particularly its development, operations, and supervision of staff/volunteers. This full-time (40 hours per week) role will be charged with improving the center’s financial wellbeing through new fundraising structures and maritime, business, and church partnerships. Full job description can be found HERE. Ultimately, the mission involves elevating the dignity of seafarers, making their invisible presence and contribution visible to all. Please send cover letter and resume to jobs@mts-seattle.org. Questions? Please call (206) 935-3439. |
In this week’s Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for: - St. John’s/San Juan, Olympia
- St. Christopher’s, Olympia
- St. David of Wales, Shelton
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